Prabhjot Gill,AMRITSAR, NOVEMBER 18: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today impressed upon Mr. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada to explore the possibility of transfer of technical knowhow from their Agro based Industries and Power Plants to provide value addition to the Punjabi farmers besides helping the State in attaining self-sufficiency in Power sector. Mr. Badal also offered to send a batch of Punjabi Language Teachers from Punjab to Canada to teach Punjabi to second and third generation of Punjabi immigrants settled there.
Mr. Harper accompanied by a delegation of Canadian Ministers and MPs was in Amritsar to pay obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum of Sri Harmandir Sahib. The Deputy Chief Minister informed the visiting Canadian Premier that Punjab was basically an agrarian state with 1.3 percent geographical area of the Country, contributing over 50 percent foodgrains (Rice and Wheat) in national kitty. He said that now with saturation in agricultural production, Punjab farmers were not getting remunerative price for their produce. He asked visiting PM to explore the possibility of transferring technical expertise from Canadian food processing industry to further ensuring value addition to the farmers. He further said that Canada was also known worldwide for his expertise in Power generation sector and Punjab , a rapidly growing economy needed more power. He informed that the present government has launched an ambitious program to generate over 6 thousand MW power through 4 ultra thermal plants and bagasse based plants and sought expertise from Canada based power generation firms especially in the area of producing power from agricultural waste and coal besides setting up solar power plants.
Evincing keen interest in collaboration in Agri and Power sectors, the Canadian Prime Minister gave a positive response to Mr. Badal and assured that his Government would definitely explore the feasibility of setting up of joint ventures for the promotion of Agro based Industry as well as Power sector.
Mr. Badal further pointed out that the first generation of Punjabis’ was quiet worried about decreasing interest of second and third generation in the Punjabi language. They were more worried for ever growing degradation of Punjabi language and revealed that the Punjab government was very much committed to preserve the originality and richness of Punjabi language and would like to associate with Canadian government in any such project for the promotion of Punjabi language. He also offered to set up a Punjabi language academy in Canada . He also sought the help of Canada government in launching joint venture programs with one of the University of the State to promote the cause of Punjabi language, research and development of English-Punjabi dictionary, thesaurus, websites, search engines in Punjabi language to strengthen Indo-Canadian ties in general and ties between Canada and Punjab in particular.
Mr.Badal also offered to depute a batch of Punjabi language teachers from Punjab at Canada to maintain the original richness and sanctity of Punjabi language especially amongst first and second generation Punjabi immigrants settled in Canada .
Apreciating the gesture of Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Canadian Prime Minister said that Canada owes its development in prosperity to the hard work and grit of 1.2 million Punjabis who since more than 10 decades have become partners in the progress of this country. The Canadian Prime Minister mentioned that as per the latest population figures more than 8 lac Punjabis from Indian Punjab were settled in Canada and were making significant contribution in strengthening the Canadian economy. He said that the Canadian Government was fully committed to preserve as well as promote the Punjabi culture and Punjabi language.
Later on, Mr. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada along with Mr. Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, Ms. Nina Grewal, Mr. Tim Uppal, Mr. Devinder Shory and Mr. Deepak Obhrai(All MPs) paid obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum of Sri Harmandir Sahib. He was received by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and Mr. Avtar Singh, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. He was presented a Siropa at Sri Harmandir Sahib by Giani Jaswinder Singh.
Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Mr. Rattan Singh Ajnala, MP, Mr. Manoranjan Kalia and Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike(both Cabinet Ministers), Mr. Amarpal Singh Ajnala, Dr. Dalbir Singh, Mr. Malkiat Singh and Mr. O.P. Soni(all MLAs), Mr. S.C. Aggarwal, Chief Secretary,Punjab, Mr. Shwait Malik, Mayor, Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu, Deputy Commissioner, Mr. IPS Sahota, IG/Border Zone, Mr. Parampal Singh Sidhu, DIG/Border Range and Mr. P.K. Rai, SSP.